Jockey Jevian Toledo Nears Return to Racing After Injury
Champion jockey Jevian Toledo, a four-time leading rider in Maryland, is eagerly anticipating his return to the saddle after a two-month recovery from a collarbone injury. The 29-year-old Toledo, who turns 30 on August 20th, is awaiting medical clearance to resume riding, which he expects to receive next week.
“I’m doing good,” Toledo said. “I was supposed to see the doctor (Friday) but he had an emergency, so I have to go back Wednesday morning and see what is next. I’m getting therapy already and the guy from therapy is happy. He said I am doing pretty good, so hopefully I will have good news this week coming up.”
Toledo was injured during the fourth race on April 21st at Laurel Park when his mount, Jackie A, tripped over fellow rider J.G. Torrealba and Bourbon and Ice, who had stumbled when in tight quarters at the top of the stretch and fell. Both horses walked off the track, and the riders were taken to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. Torrealba, a five-pound apprentice at the time, was released and returned the next racing day, finishing as the spring meet’s leading jockey. Toledo, who was tied for second in the standings at the time of the spill, was subsequently sent to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.
“The bone was dislocated through the inside, not through the outside, so they had to do surgery and put the bone where it was before. They told me I could not pull anything if I wanted to keep the bone in place,” Toledo explained. “Now I’m putting weight on it and I’ve been feeling good, so hopefully that’s a good sign.”
Jevian Toledo, a 10-time meet champion in Maryland, led all riders in the state in wins at Laurel and historic Pimlico Race Course in 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2022. Last year, he rode 130 winners, finishing third behind Jaime Rodriguez (166) and Jeiron Barbosa (137), and earned a career-high $8.19 million in purses.
“I’ve been doing therapy like a month already. I go twice a week, so I’ve been like eight times. It looks like everything’s going good,” Toledo said. “Hopefully after the doctor sees me, he at least lets me start getting on a couple horses to see how I’m feeling and then we’ll decide after that.”
As the Maryland racing season heats up, the return of champion jockey Jevian Toledo is eagerly anticipated by fans and the industry alike. With his proven track record and dedication to the sport, Toledo’s comeback is sure to be an exciting storyline to follow in the coming weeks.
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